80 per cent rise in number of students aspiring to study medicine abroad

There is a huge rise in the number of students wishing to study medicine abroad. This is being backed by the official data in response to an RTI filed to MCI in October 2018. The number of students who applied for the mandatory eligibility certificate from Medical Council of India (MCI) to study medicine abroad almost doubled in the year 2017-18.

The numbers of applications received in the year 2017-18 were 18,383 as against the number of applications for eligibility certificate received by MCI in the previous year 2016-17 which were 10,555.

“Information provided in the RTI speaks volumes on the shift in medical education trends. The key reason for this is the lack of medical seats in India. There are approximately 60,000 medical seats that are being offered by government and private colleges for medical aspirants who are in millions. Apart from this, higher awareness levels of overseas colleges, more affordable fees compared to Indian private colleges, curriculum aligned to international standards, better global growth opportunities etc. are other reasons why students prefer to study MBBS abroad,” said Saju Bhaskar, President and Founder of an overseas MCI recognized medical university, Texila American University.

As per the information provided in the RTI communication, MCI issued a total of 8,737 eligibility certificates in the year 2016- 2017 while 14,118 eligibility certificates were issued in 2017-18. The number of eligibility certificates issued also includes pending of the previous year suggested the RTI reply.